Pencil-eraser



(No Model.)

I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. M. A. L. THOMAS.

PENGIL FRASER.

Patengd May 20,1890. "Fa-75L I as w, mam-mm, msmnawn n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARY A. LANE THOMAS, OF SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE.

PENClL-ERASER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 428,324, dated May 20, 1890.

Application filed July 16, 1889. Serial No. 317,667. (No model.)

To an whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY A. LANE THOMAS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Robertson and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pencil-Erasers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved eraser adapted to be worn upon the end. of the tinger of the person using the same, and has for its object to produce an ink or pencil eraser that can-be carried about without inconvenience, one that is always handy and easily operated, and at the same time cheaper and more durable than the usual form of eraser.

. A further object is to connect the eraser with an ordinary pencil or pen by means of an elastic cord or chain or otherwise.

NVith these objects in view my invention consists, essentially, of a thimble having an eraser at its lower or contracted end.

It consists, further, in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter'described and claimed.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved eraser-thimble as in use. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same connected with the upper end of a pencil by means of a chain. Fig. 3 shows an elastic cord used as a connecting medium. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are detail perspective views of the eraser, in which the erasing-surface is formed by ridges or protuberances. Figs. 11, 11, 12, and 13 are similar views of modifications. Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are vertical sectional views of Figs. 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Fig. 17 is a similar view taken on the line 17, Fig. 7. Figs. 18, 19, and 20 are vertical sectional Views of Figs. 8, 9, and 10. Figs. 21, 21, 22, and 23 are vertical sectional views of the modifications shown in Figs. 11, 11, 12, and 13, respectively. Figs. 24 and 25 show modifications of the pencil cap or ferrule. Fig. 26 shows the device constructed entirely of rubber, and Fig. 27 is a sectional view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the views, A indicates the body or barrel of a thimble, which may be of any suitable meta], celluloid, or other substance from which ordibarrel A is contracted slightly at its lower end, as usual, said lower end being left open for the insertion of the eraser-rubber O. The sides of the barrel are usually devoid of the punctures or indentations of an ordinary thimble, and they are ornament-ed in any suitable manner to suit the taste.

At the upper end or at the side of the thimble-body I provide an eye or hook c, to which is attached an elastic cord or chain D, by means of which the eraser-thimble is connected with the pencil P, said pencil carrying a cap or ferrule 19, provided with an eye or hook p, to which the cord or chain is attached. The cap or ferrule upon the pencil may carry the eye upon its upper end, as shown in Fig. 1, or on its side, as in Fig. 2, and said eye may be integral or separate, as preferred.

In Fig.25 I have shown a band encircling the pencil, one end of said band being bent out to form an ear or lug, which is perforated to receive the connecting cord or chain, and it is obvious that various forms of caps may be employed, or that it may be dispensed with entirely, if desired.

In carrying out my invention I have devised numerous forms in which I construct the rubber eraser O, and it will be seen that an infinite variety may be used. In the drawings I have shown those which I deem preferable.

As usually constructed, the barrel or body A has its lower end contracted and its sides highly ornamented, and the rubber eraser, cylindrical in form, is inserted within the contracted end of said thimble and secured there by gluing, cementing, riveting, or other suitable means, such construction being illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 and 14 to 20, inclusive. It will be obvious, however, that the manner of securing the rubber and barrel together may be modified as desired, and I will now proceed to describe examples of such modification, references being had to the respective views relating thereto.

In Figs. 11 and 21 I have shown the rubber formed with a shoulder and a reduced portion adapted to enter the thimble and secured as desired,

In Figs. 11 and 21 is shown the rubber formed on its upper side with an annular nary thimbles are constructed. The body or i ridge formed on its bottom.

of a pencil, and in either case it necessitates flange f, within which is inserted the thimblebody A and secured as above mentioned.

In Figs. 26 and 27 I have shown another modification, in which the thimble and rubber are constructed entirely of rubber and integral with each other. It is often necessary to erase a fine line, and in order to accomplish this I may form on the under side of the rubber C, at its central portion, a ridge 0', as clearly shown in Figs. 4: and 14, and in Figs. 5 and 15 the rubber is shown as constructed with a laterally-projecting ridge 0'.

In Figs. 6 and 16 is shown a ridge or lug 0, arranged on one side of the bottom, and in Figs. 7 and 17 I have shown the eraser as formed with diagonally'crossed ridges c .0. Instead of a ridge, a lug or teat c or a series of the same may be formed on the eraser, as shown in Figs. 8 and 18, or a series of ridges 0 may be used, as shown in Figs. 10 and 20.

Figs. 9 and 19 represent a rubber having both a laterally-projecting and a depending It will be obvious that the provision of eras ing-surfaces, as above described, does not in any manner affect the general construction of the eraser or render a modification thereof necessary.

In order that the rubber may be easily replaced when worn, I may provide the thimble with a thread 25, so that the rubber can be quickly screwed therein, and, further, the rubber may be provided with an annular flange internally threaded and adapted to engage the externally-threaded thimble, such modification being respectively illustrated in Figs. 12 and 22 and Figs. 13 and 23.

In operation the thimble carrying the eraser is placed upon any finger desired, and it does not interfere in the least with the operation of Writing, and it can be quickly and conveniently brought into action while the pencil is still held in the hand in its usual position.

Heretofore erasers have either been made in block form or rigidly attached to the end the change of position of the pencil.

By connecting the thimble-eraser with a pencil, as described, it renders the pencil much more useful and valuable as an article, and also affords a convenient support for the eraser when not in use, and serves also to keep the two from being lost.

The advantages of my device are apparent to every one, and it will of course be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions and combinations herein shown and described, but may change them as taste or necessity may dictate without departing from the broad principles of my in vention. It will also be understood that it is not necessary that the eraser-thimble should be connected with a pen or pencil, as it may be made without the eye and chain and sold separately as a distinct article.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

,1. An eraser-thimble adapted to be worn upon the finger of the operator, substantially as shown and described.

2. An eraser-thimble adapted to be worn upon the finger, consisting of a cylindrical body or barrel and an eraser secured on or to the lower end thereof, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an eraser, the combination, with the cylindrical body, of a rubber eraser carried in its lower end, said eraser being secured by cement, rivet, thread, or other suitable means, as and for the purpose described.

4. An eraser-thimble adapted to be worn upon the finger of the operator and provided upon its lower surface with ridges or protuberances, substantially as set forth.

5. An eraser-thimble consisting of a cylindrical body portion and a rubber eraser inserted in its lower end, said eraser having its lower surface provided with ridges or protuberances, as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination, with an eraserthimble, substantially as described, of a pencil and means for connecting said thimble and pencil, substantially as shown and described.

7. The combination, with a cylindrical body or barrel having an eye at its upper end and an eraser-rubber inserted in its lower end, of a pencil-cap adapted to be placed upon a pencil, and also having an eye, and means for connecting said cap and thimble, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARY A. LANE THOMAS.

WVitnesses:

THos. POPPER, A. M. PIKE. 

